Trump criticizes Italian Prime Minister Meloni over Iran stance
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President Donald Trump accused Italy's leader Giorgia Meloni of refusing to involve the country in U.S. actions against Iran, prompting a public exchange between the two officials.
President Donald Trump used his Truth Social platform on Sunday to claim that Italy would not join U.S. efforts against Iran, saying the country had benefited from NATO funding but would not defend the United States when needed. He also reiterated a previous allegation that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni repeatedly asked for a photo with him at the G7 summit.
Meloni responded in a video posted to social media, calling the claim "completely made up" and stating that neither she nor Italy ever begged for such a picture. She added that Trump’s attacks were "senseless" and that her popularity depended on defending Italy’s national interest, not on her relationship with the U.S. president.
Italy’s foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, cancelled a planned trip to Miami, saying Trump’s remarks toward Meloni were offensive to Italy. The two leaders, who previously shared a close rapport and both support strict immigration policies, have exchanged criticisms after Meloni opposed U.S. bombing plans involving Italian bases and condemned Trump’s comments on Iran.